What is Surface Mining?

Surface mining is just one of many different types of mining that is carried out in the UK. It is when the rock and soil that is covering minerals is removed. The more popular and effective way of mining is underground mining where the minerals wanted are gathered using tunnels, leaving the rock behind.

Underground mining is more effective for minerals that are located deep into the earth’s core. These minerals cannot be reached using surface mining methods.

There are various different types of surface mining commonly used across Europe;

Scottish Coal, which commissioned the multi-million-pound artwork, had originally intended to turn the opencast mine into grazing land but after one of its directors saw Jencks's award-winning work Landform Ueda at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art an alternative plan was drawn up.

The Scottish Coal Company Limited was the largest coal producer in Scotland, having opencast interests across the Scottish coalfields.

Scottish Coal used to produce in excess of 4m tonnes of coal per annum making it the second largest coal producer in the UK. Use of Scottish coal, being relatively low in sulphur, brings environmental benefits through reduced atmospheric emissions.